ATP Tour

Djokovic survives Mpetshi Perricard test in Paris opener

Novak Djokovic survived a stern opening-round test at Roland Garros Sunday when he rallied to defeat Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 to book his place in the second round in Paris.

Making a record 82nd appearance at majors, Djokovic improved to 80-2 in first-round Grand Slam matches with the triumph, having last lost a major opener at the 2006 Australian Open.

In the pair’s maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head clash, Djokovic struggled in the opening two sets to neutralise Mpetshi Perricard’s booming serve, while a series of uncharacteristic errors also disrupted his own rhythm. The Frenchman, buoyed by a raucous crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier, fended off nine break points in the second set before Djokovic converted on his 10th chance to level the match.

"In the first set, zero chance really on his serve," Djokovic said. "He has one of the most tremendous serves in terms of precision and speed that I have ever faced in my career."

Once the three-time champion earned the breakthrough, he refused to look back. The former World No. 1 began reading the Frenchman’s deliveries far more effectively and cruised through the remainder of the match, motoring to victory in two hours and 51 minutes. With the triumph, the 24-time major champion — competing in only his second clay-court match this season — earned his 102nd win at Roland Garros.

"This is not the ideal strategy of coming into Roland Garros with one match on clay," Djokovic shared. "That was not part of the plan. But it was a situation that I have to accept with circumstances of being injured. It is what it is. I got myself prepared for Paris, and I was always planning to come and try my best."

Although it took Djokovic almost three hours to earn his opening win, the 39-year-old had already made history before even winning the first point. As soon as Djokovic began the match, he became the first man to make 82 Grand Slam singles main draw appearances, moving clear of Roger Federer and Feliciano Lopez’s record of 81 appearances after tying the mark at the Australian Open in January.

Mpetshi Perricard was aiming to become the first Frenchman to defeat Djokovic since Benoit Paire at the 2018 Miami Open presented by Itau and the second-lowest-ranked player to defeat the 24-time major champion at a Grand Slam after then-No. 117 Denis Istomin at the 2017 Australian Open.

Advancing to the second round in his 22nd consecutive Roland Garros appearance, Djokovic will next face Frenchman Valentin Royer. The 24-year-old eased past Hugo Dellien 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 in one hour and 58 minutes.